This is a solution to a problem no one asked about. While the floatation effects and shock absorption properties may be marginally better than the smaller solid wheel, it is less convenient to use in dirty environments, especially in those with cement.
I think a better idea that Sir Dyson could have delved into, if he wanted to build the holy grail of barrows, was to make the ball smaller, and pivot it in such a fashion that it rolls in any direction. I’m thinking of something akin to a computer mouse ball with lesser friction.
Think about it.
A wheel and axle only goes one way. It can be made to turn in the direction you want, but you would need some redundant moves in between to do so. Think about the same scenario when you have a heavy load. The redundant moves then essentially multiply. Its not very convenient, is it?
The only additional component it would need would be a foldable stand that can be locked in place to load the barrow.
The issue with the mouse type omni-directional roller is retention of the roller ball and ground clearance.
To gain the purchase necessary to contain the ball it needs to be near or beyond the center point of the ball the mouse design is actually well beyond centerline and thus eliminates the utility as a load bearing and dispensing fulcrum as it would have very little effective ground clearance.
The best solution I can think of off the cuff would be a conical retainer for the ball-wheel much like that of a ball point pen.
That might give you the clearance and maneuverability for true functionality.
I love the ball-barrow, and have kept my large galvanized one in use until this year, when I finally gave up trying to inflate the perished ball.
We used to have one of the small plastic ball-barrows, which were much less robust, and could not be fitted with an extension to make them suitable for collecting low-density materials such as hedge-clippings.
Both forms had the virtue of being very easy to steer, and neither sank into soft ground (that’s not just an aesthetic matter; if a wheel sinks in, the barrow becomes hard to get moving – ball-barrows move away with minimal effort).
I’d rate the galvanized version 5* for design and 4* for build-quality, and the plastic version 4* and 2*
This design of barrow is fantastic for any equine property…why hasn’t someone continued to supply these…i have not seen the galvanised ones, but any design just on the ball is perfect and as big a bucket as possible.
Regarding the omni-directional ballbarrow… wouldn’t work.
Imagine trying to push a heavy load across an un-even or un-level surface. The barrow would head in whichever direction it chooses regardless of operator input. If you have a very heavy load, better hold on tight cause you’d be going for a ride.
A wheel and axle is the only way to build a wheel barrow. A spherical wheel allows you to tip the barrow at any angle , even to the sides, (not just to the front like the ordinary types) with a reasonable ammount of control.
I’ve just got a decent sized garden again after a 10 year break, decided to buy a barrow and can’t believe they don’t make them any more! I wore two of them out years ago, but still think they are the best for a lady moving stuff like compost about. Probably not for mixing concrete, but they are not aimed at the building trade!
October 13th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Ah. A solution in search of a problem.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
This is a solution to a problem no one asked about. While the floatation effects and shock absorption properties may be marginally better than the smaller solid wheel, it is less convenient to use in dirty environments, especially in those with cement.
I think a better idea that Sir Dyson could have delved into, if he wanted to build the holy grail of barrows, was to make the ball smaller, and pivot it in such a fashion that it rolls in any direction. I’m thinking of something akin to a computer mouse ball with lesser friction.
Think about it.
A wheel and axle only goes one way. It can be made to turn in the direction you want, but you would need some redundant moves in between to do so. Think about the same scenario when you have a heavy load. The redundant moves then essentially multiply. Its not very convenient, is it?
The only additional component it would need would be a foldable stand that can be locked in place to load the barrow.
December 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
If I had any money, I would like to bank-roll Ron.
May 29th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
The issue with the mouse type omni-directional roller is retention of the roller ball and ground clearance.
To gain the purchase necessary to contain the ball it needs to be near or beyond the center point of the ball the mouse design is actually well beyond centerline and thus eliminates the utility as a load bearing and dispensing fulcrum as it would have very little effective ground clearance.
The best solution I can think of off the cuff would be a conical retainer for the ball-wheel much like that of a ball point pen.
That might give you the clearance and maneuverability for true functionality.
August 6th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I love the ball-barrow, and have kept my large galvanized one in use until this year, when I finally gave up trying to inflate the perished ball.
We used to have one of the small plastic ball-barrows, which were much less robust, and could not be fitted with an extension to make them suitable for collecting low-density materials such as hedge-clippings.
Both forms had the virtue of being very easy to steer, and neither sank into soft ground (that’s not just an aesthetic matter; if a wheel sinks in, the barrow becomes hard to get moving – ball-barrows move away with minimal effort).
I’d rate the galvanized version 5* for design and 4* for build-quality, and the plastic version 4* and 2*
October 3rd, 2009 at 6:58 am
This design of barrow is fantastic for any equine property…why hasn’t someone continued to supply these…i have not seen the galvanised ones, but any design just on the ball is perfect and as big a bucket as possible.
October 21st, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Regarding the omni-directional ballbarrow… wouldn’t work.
Imagine trying to push a heavy load across an un-even or un-level surface. The barrow would head in whichever direction it chooses regardless of operator input. If you have a very heavy load, better hold on tight cause you’d be going for a ride.
A wheel and axle is the only way to build a wheel barrow. A spherical wheel allows you to tip the barrow at any angle , even to the sides, (not just to the front like the ordinary types) with a reasonable ammount of control.
October 26th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
I’ve just got a decent sized garden again after a 10 year break, decided to buy a barrow and can’t believe they don’t make them any more! I wore two of them out years ago, but still think they are the best for a lady moving stuff like compost about. Probably not for mixing concrete, but they are not aimed at the building trade!